Science

Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

LESSON 12.3
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Learning Competency 2

Learning Objectives 2

Warm-Up 2

Learn about It 3
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle 4
Menstrual Phase (Days 1 to 5) 4
Follicular Phase (Days 6 to 13) 5
Ovulation Phase (Day 14) 5
Luteal Phase (Days 15 to 28) 5
The Uterine Cycle 6
Menstrual Phase 7
Proliferative Phase 7
Secretory Phase 7

Key Points 9

Check Your Understanding 10

Photo Credit 12

Bibliography 12
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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

Lesson 12.3
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The female body undergoes a monthly menstrual cycle.

Introduction
The menstrual cycle is important to sexual health, it provides important hormones that help
maintain a female body. The menstrual cycle also prepares a female body for pregnancy. In
the previous lesson, you learned about the hormones involved in the monthly menstrual
cycle. In this lesson, you will learn about the different phases of the menstrual cycle. What
is the importance of each of the phases of the menstrual cycle?

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

Learning Competency
At the end of this lesson, the given DepEd learning competency should be met
by the students.
Describe the feedback mechanisms involved in regulating processes in the
female reproductive system (e.g., menstrual cycle). (S10LT-IIIc-35)

Learning Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Enumerate the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
● Differentiate the events happening during each phase.

Warm-Up

Tracking Menstrual Cycle

Materials
● pen
● color
● print out of the menstrual cycle worksheet (access the link)

Menstrual cycle worksheetCentral Michigan University. 2010. ‘Female

Reproductive System.’
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Ttlgn9Zwj96e_sgBQxB6SSzLqe5ys9D0

Procedure
1. Print the provided menstrual cycle worksheet through the link.

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

2. Do the activity based on available resources on the internet.

3. Color the illustration based on the provided instruction in the worksheet.
4. Draw arrows for each event to show what days it occurs.
5. Present your work in class to validate your answer.

Guide Questions
1. What happens during menstruation?
2. What is the importance of menstruation in females?
3. How is menstruation related to ovulation?
4. How is menstruation related to pregnancy?

Learn about It
The menstrual cycle is a cycle of events that takes place in the reproductive system of
females. It occurs on an average of 28 days. The menstrual cycle is counted from the first
day of one period to the first day of the next period. Different hormones in the body control
this cycle. Hormones control the menstrual cycle for the following purposes: maturity and
release of egg cells and preparation of the special linings in the uterus in anticipation of the
implantation of a fertilized egg. The menstrual cycle encompasses the ovarian and uterine
cycle.

Essential Questions
● What happens during the menstrual cycle?
● How does the female reproductive system coordinate with other
body systems to ensure homeostasis?

Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle is tightly regulated by the changes in the concentration of hormones from
the two structures of the brain: the pituitary gland and hypothalamus that act together with

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

the hormones being produced by the ovaries. Due to the changes in hormones, it allowed
the separation of the menstrual cycle into four distinct phases. It is a combination of the
phases from the ovarian and uterine cycles.

Fig. 1. Changes in hormone concentration during the ovarian cycle.

Menstrual Phase (Days 1 to 5)

The menstrual phase pertains to the actual menstruation bleeding in female individuals.
The presence of this phase in the menstrual cycle indicates that the woman is not pregnant
and there is no fertilized egg implanted in the endometrium. The regular bleeding in
females lasts for a few days and the blood released ranges from 10 - 80 mL. During
menstruation, pain in the abdomen and thighs is very common. During the menstrual
phase, the uterus sheds blood vessel-rich tissues. The levels of estrogen and progesterone
in this phase are low. These low levels signal the anterior pituitary gland to produce FSH.

Follicular Phase (Days 6 to 13)

During the follicular phase, the follicles in the ovarian cortex mature, and the egg waits to be
released. With the influence of the increase in the concentration of FSH during the
menstruation phase, several numbers of follicles are stimulated and developed. Moreover,

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

the release of luteinizing hormone increases, causing the egg inside the follicle to complete
its first stage of development. The follicle then produces more estrogen to prepare the
uterus for pregnancy by repairing and growing the uterine lining. Estrogen also inhibits FSH
to prevent the growth of more follicles. The activated follicles continuously grow but not all
will complete the maturity. Only one follicle that reaches full maturity called the Graafian
follicle will reach the end of the development and release the oocyte for fertilization.

Ovulation Phase (Day 14)

Ovulation is the process of releasing the oocyte for fertilization. Ovulation is regulated by
the increase of LH from the pituitary gland. The presence of LH allows the egg to mature
and weakens the different layers covering the follicle in the ovary. This leads to the
rupturing of the fully developed follicle.

After the release from the ovary, the oocyte goes to the fallopian tube. This is the location
where fertilization should occur. If fertilization failed to happen, the unfertilized egg
disintegrates and dies in the fallopian tube. On the other hand, if fertilization occurs, the
fertilized egg starts its development and travels to the uterus for three to four days. Once it
reaches the uterus, it will be implanted in the endometrium and allow pregnancy.

Luteal Phase (Days 15 to 28)

This is the final phase of the menstrual cycle. In this phase, the FSH and LH induce the
formation of the corpus luteum from the remaining parts of the ruptured follicle. The
corpus luteum is the one responsible for the production of progesterone. The production
of progesterone can induce the production of estrogen and inhibit the secretion of the FSH
and LH. The progesterone prepares the uterus for implantation while a decrease in the level
of this hormone can also trigger the start of menstruation which indicates the start of
another menstrual cycle. The total duration of the luteal phase in women is always constant
from cycle to cycle.

Fertilization could prevent the disintegration of the corpus luteum. The developing embryo
produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that preserves the integrity of the corpus
luteum structure. This allows the corpus luteum to produce progesterone for the

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

maintenance of pregnancy continuously.

Fig. 2. The average duration for each phase of the menstrual cycle

The Uterine Cycle

Menstruation is the process of releasing the unused lining of the uterus and having the
period in female humans. This happens once a month where females experience menstrual
bleeding from the deterioration of the thickened lining of the uterus or the endometrium
that prepared itself for the implantation of a possible fertilized egg. The endometrium is rich
in blood vessels and these are responsible for supplying blood to the implanted embryo if
pregnancy occurs. The bleeding usually takes 5 days. Menstruation usually happens in a
regular and predictable pattern every 28 days.

Menstruation is highly regulated by several hormonal changes that affect the thickness of
the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. The thickening of the endometrium is
the preparation for the implantation of the fertilized egg from the fallopian tube. The
changes in the ovary induce changes in the lining of the uterus. This is the reason why each
phase of the ovarian cycle has the corresponding phase on the uterine cycle.

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

Fig. 3. The phases of the ovarian and uterine cycle

The entire uterine cycle is normally divided into three phases, namely: menstruation,
proliferative, and secretory phase.

Menstrual Phase
Menstruation is the process characterized by the continued bleeding of the female due to
the removal of the unused lining of the endometrium because the egg was not fertilized and
implanted in the uterus.

Proliferative Phase
The proliferative phase is where the endometrium tries to regain the thickness of its layer
in preparation for another oocyte to be released in the next ovulation and might be
fertilized and implanted in the uterus.

Secretory Phase
The secretory phase is the final part of the uterine cycle. At this phase, the corpus luteum
secretes a high concentration of progesterone that makes the endometrium highly
responsive to possible implantation of the fertilized egg.

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

Fig. 4. Changes in the concentration of hormones in the entire menstrual cycle

Table 12.3.1. Summary of the events for the entire menstrual cycle
Duration Events of the menstrual cycle

The first bleeding is considered as day 1 of the menstrual cycle. The

Days 1 to 5 bleeding usually lasts for 3 to 8 days, but the average duration is 5
days.

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The bleeding stops, and the lining of the uterus is preparing for the
Days 6 to 14 possibility of pregnancy. The endometrium becomes thicker and has a
high supply of blood and nutrients.

During the 14th day, the egg is released from the Graafian follicle and
Day 14 to 25
starts its journey down to the fallopian tubes.

If no fertilization occurs, there will be no implantation of the egg that

allows hormonal changes and triggers shedding of the uterine lining.
Days 25 to 28
The egg disintegrates in the fallopian tube. The menstruation phase
also starts with another cycle of menstruation.

Remember
Counting the days for possible ovulation is important to avoid possible
pregnancy. This is considered as the most effective natural form of birth
control in humans.

Key Points

● The menstrual cycle is a cycle of events that take place in the reproductive system
of females. It encompasses the ovarian and uterine cycles.
● The menstrual cycle includes the following:
○ The menstrual phase pertains to the actual menstruation bleeding in female
individuals.
○ During the follicular phase, the follicles in the ovarian cortex mature and the
egg waits to be released.
○ Ovulation is the process of releasing the oocyte for fertilization.
○ The luteal phase is the final phase of the menstrual cycle. In this phase,
During the luteal phase, the FSH and LH induce the formation of the corpus

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

luteum from the remaining parts of the ruptured follicle.

● The uterine cycle includes the following:
○ Menstruation is the process characterized by the continued bleeding of the
female due to the removal of the unused lining of the endometrium because
the egg was not fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
○ The proliferative phase is where the endometrium tries to regain the
thickness of its layer in preparation for another oocyte to be released in the
next ovulation and might be fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
○ The secretory phase is the final part of the uterine cycle. At this phase, the
corpus luteum secretes a high concentration of progesterone that makes the
endometrium highly responsive to possible implantation of the fertilized egg.

Check Your Understanding

A. Complete the table by enumerating important events and the level of hormones in each
phase of the menstrual cycle.

Menstrual cycle phase Events Hormone levels

Menstrual

Follicular

Ovulation

Luteal

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

Uterine cycle phase Events Hormone levels

Menstrual

Proliferative

Secretory

B. Write the word true if the statement is correct; otherwise, write the word false.
1. The menstrual cycle includes the process of fertilization of the egg in the fallopian
tube.
2. The level of progesterone controls the preparation of the uterine lining.
3. The level of LH in the ovary causes the follicle to rupture.
4. The presence of FSH in the ovary activates the follicles to grow and develop.
5. Pregnancy starts with the process of implantation of the unfertilized egg in the
uterus.

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Grade 10 • Unit 12: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive System

Photo Credit

Introduction Photo. Alarm clock, pads and tampon on a white background. Concept of
menstrual cycle, personal hygiene items by Marco Verch is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via
Flickr.

Bibliography

Boundless Anatomy and Physiology. “Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive

Cycle.” Accessed last September 2, 2016.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ap/chapter/physiology-of-the-female-r
eproductive-system/.

Silverthorn, Dee Unglaub. 2013. +XPDQ3K\VLRORJ\$Q,QWHJUDWHG$SSURDFK. 6th ed. London,

England: Pearson Education.

Sherwood, Laurelee. 2013. +XPDQ 3K\VLRORJ\ )URP &HOOV WR 6\VWHPV 8th ed. Boston,
Massachusetts: Cengage Learning.

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